Prestigious honour for Professor Michael Berk

Deakin University’s Professor Michael Berk has won one of Australia’s most prestigious awards for psychiatry.

With Professor Gerard Byrne of Queensland, he has shared the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist’s MSD Senior Researcher Award for 2012.

The MSD (formerly Schering-Plough, and Organon) Senior Research Award was established in 1978, and recognises excellence in research in psychiatry in Australia and New Zealand.

This year, the award attracted a strong field of applicants/nominees, who demonstrated innovative work and extensive research credentials.

The panel considered the applications and unanimously supported jointly conferring the award for 2012.

“The panel is thrilled to be able to recognise both you and Professor Byrne with the RANZCP’s major research award, together in the same year,” said Dr Maria Tomasic, the President of RANZCP.

Professor Berk has been invited to the RANZCP’s annual congress in Hobart to receive his award and to make a keynote address.